Every one spun around and I jumped up from my spot on the wall, flicking Völsung out of its sheath and holding it in front me in a defensive position. This was bad; very, very, very bad. We couldn't kill him, it would upset the balance in everything. And I doubt we could fight and win.

It was a face off. Zeus was holding his Masterbolt like he was ready to fire at any given moment. A quick glance at the others and I saw they held their weapons ready. Barring Hades, who, of course, had obviously shadow travelled away. That pissed me off, but that way he could stay out of it, we still get the weapons if we escape, and he can still help us. But none of those reasons held back the hatred.

"I'm curious. How did you escape your tortures?" Zeus questioned us, like he had already won. "A little help from Hades I expect."

Nico snorted. "Really?" He sounded incredulous and mocking at the same time. "I know my father and he will do whatever he can to not get himself killed. Releasing us would be one of those things, along with the weapons." I know that he liked his father, but what he said held a ring of truth.

"So… Zeus." Thalia snarled, making his name sound like an insult. "Did you find yourself a new favorite child."

"Shut up!" He growled back at her. "You aren't even worthy to be called my daughter." He raised his bolt, ready to fire.

"I wouldn't do that Zeus." I said dangerously. He turned and looked at me. "You know, you are really stupid. When you figure out that we didn't kill the others, and want to forgive us, it will be too late. You've just given yourselves a long time of pain. But we cannot kill you. So you have that comfort."

Zeus's face didn't change in the slightest. We were really screwed if words couldn't faze him, neither could we win.

Wait a minute... I FORGOT! We can shadow travel! I sheathed Völsung and slung it over my shoulder holding onto the straps. "You know... I really don't feel like continuing this conversation. You know we can't beat you; we know we can't beat you; you know that we know that we can't beat you... Yet. But we'll be back. Our master bids you a farewell as well." I concentrated on a place that I was sure Zeus wouldn't find us. At least I hope he wouldn't. I sunk into the shadows, glaring at Zeus with the biggest gun I had in my arsenal.

I saw him wince a bit and I smiled, an evil smile. God it felt so good. This power... I felt amazing.

Wind rushed past me and I hoped that the others would get out okay. We really needed to come up with some plan to communicate. Finding them might be a pain. But this power I felt, it was like being supercharged. Almost like when I still had my powers and I was standing in saltwater.

I felt myself come out of the shadows and in front of my mom's apartment. Ozone immediately filled my nose. No, please let this not be what I think it is. I kicked down the door and the smell intensified. No, no, no, no.

I ran in and burst through the door into my mom's room. And there she was, sprawled ungracefully on the covers, bloody.

"No..." I whispered. "NOOOOOOOOO!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. Overwhelming, consuming rage flowed through and around me. I felt an intense urge to kill, an impulse to slaughter, murder.

Yes... You like it... You want it... Give in, don't fight it...

A voice echoed in my head and I wanted to listen to it badly... But something was keeping me from it, like a part of my mind was resisting against it for some reason.

I heard several gasps from behind me and I spun around, rage instantly taking over my movements. I didn't recognize that these people were my friends.

I yelled in anger and whipped out Völsung. The people in front of me backed up, and the rational part of my mind was trying to tell me that these people were friends, not enemies. That thought was quickly erased and I brought Völsung down in a vicious arc. The blond girl- Annabeth, my mind told me weakly- leaped to the side. I turned my gaze to her and swung the sword parallel to the ground, aiming for her waist. She jumped back and flicked a dagger out of its sheath.

I swung Völsung in another overhead strike and the dagger went up to block. It struck the dagger and drove the girl to her knees. My mind had been purged of anything but killing. I backed up and thrust my sword at her. She deflected it but I whirled around to strike the side opposite the one that that Völsung had been deflected to. I watched as the sword bit deep into her right side and I was stricken what had I done. "ANNABETH!" I cried and dropped Völsung. I tried to reach her to pull her into a hug... But Nico and Thalia held me back.

I looked into Annabeth's eyes and I saw betrayal and hurt. "ANNABETH! I SWEAR IT WASN'T ME! THE SWORD CONTROLLED ME! Please..." My voice dropped into a sob as I tore my gaze away from her and into Thalia's "Please believe me! I swear on the River Styx that I didn't do it willingly!" Thunder rumbled, and nothing happened, but Thalia and Nico still didn't look convinced. "I swear on the body of my dead mother!" That seemed to convince them... They knew I would never joke about her, especially if she was dead. They released me and I crawled to Annabeth.

"Hey, Seaweed Brain..." She said weakly. "I understand... When I touched it, I felt an ancient, powerful force. I don't hold it against you."

"Please don't die..." I knew it was weak, unfounded, and could never come true... But I couldn't help it. "I love you... I love you."

Annabeth smiled weakly and returned the gesture. "I love you too." I sat there, staring into her eyes as the lights left them. I dropped her hand and wailed.

"ANNABETH!"

(Thalia POV Continuing)

I felt my heart wrench looking at the result of the scene that had just unfolded. Percy screaming and Annabeth dead. Dead. I can't believe that she was actually gone. I loved her like a sister, but I couldn't fathom the depths of what Percy was feeling.

Nico must have seen my eyes and seen what laid there because he nodded at him. "Go comfort him." I saw an emotion flicker across his face, pain. Percy was like a big brother to him and seeing him like this must have hurt him a lot too.

I dropped down beside Percy and offered my arms. He took the chance at once and the next thing I knew he was sobbing into my shoulder. It surprised me, but I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him close. If only we could be like this forever, minus the tears and sorrow and suffering.

Nico smiled at me... damn him. Now I'll never be able to get him off my back about Percy. "Everything will turn out okay. Just you wait and see." I whispered in his ear, and I felt him shift. I wonder why that is.

Well, I have a hunch. I just hope it's right.

A/N: Well... Sorry for the short chapter... And if this is a little rushed, you know... Annabeth dying and all, just let me know! There will be some one-sided Perlia for the next few chapters in Thalia POV. Hope you continue reading!